Occupational Therapist: Life Enrichment Education Program - 2025/26 School Year

Occupational Therapist, Life Enrichment Education Program
Location: Various locations in Clackamas County. Assignment to be determined based on program/student need
Schedule: 8 hours per day/ 5 days per week/ 190 day Instructional School Year Calendar
FOR 2025/26 SCHOOL YEAR

Clackamas ESD strives to infuse equity in all our programs and bodies of work by maintaining an inclusive, barrier-free environment in which everyone participates and fully benefits.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be the one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources at hr@clackesd.org to discuss your application.
 

Find your "why" with Clackamas ESD
At Clackamas Education Service District, our mission is to lead, serve and innovate for learning. Clackamas ESD provides services in early learning, special education, technology and teacher/staff support to Clackamas County school districts. We ensure students and families in all of our communities — big and small — have access to equitable education services. Learn more.

About the program:
Our Life Enrichment Education Program (LEEP) provides a comprehensive education for students grades kindergarten through transition with complex disabilities and communication needs. The program focuses on supporting students to develop knowledge and skills that increase decision making, self-advocacy, independence and access to a full life. 

About this position: 
The Occupational Therapist (OT) designs and implements occupational therapy programs for students whose primary disability is intellectual disability, existing concurrently with high intensity support needs. The OT consults with the special education teacher and other related service staff to determine the needs of students and develop Individualized Education Plans. The OT is responsible for supervision of assigned Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant(s).

Essential functions: 

• Assesses and evaluates students with gross motor, fine motor, self care, and sensory motor delays that impact the student’s ability to benefit from special education
• Elicits input from special education staff (Teacher, P.T., Communication, Nursing) or other outside consultants and works closely with parents in the occupational therapy program design
• Identifies students’ individual needs and treatment goals through participation in the development of Individual Education Plans (IEP)
• Develops appropriate treatment plans to make progress toward achieving the student goals and objectives identified in the IEP
• Provides individualized or small group direct occupational therapy to students whose IEPs contain OT services
• Delegates occupational therapy activities to other special education staff to implement, provides training, regular observation and feedback regarding the delivery of the OT activities
• Consults regularly with special education staff regarding implementation of delegated occupational therapy programs
• Assists classroom staff in managing student behavior as necessary by utilizing intervention techniques designed by the teacher or classroom instructional team, following guidelines for use of the least intrusive intervention and best practices consistent with students’ needs and disabilities
• Develops systems to record, monitor and interpret student progress
• Maintains accurate and complete records as required by law, ESD policy and Oregon administrative regulations
• Supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant(s) following the state regulations for delegation of duties and frequency of supervision
• Participates in planning and program development with the LEEP Motor Team including the Physical Therapist, Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
• Designs and fabricates adaptive equipment for individual student or classroom use
• Orders materials and equipment to implement therapy in the educational setting
• Locates additional resources to obtain specialized equipment and assistive technology
• Develops and utilizes scheduling and time management techniques to implement therapy in a number of different classrooms and school settings during the day and week
• Records service delivery information for the district to bill Medicaid

Minimum qualifications: 

• Current Oregon license to practice as an Occupational Therapist
• Recent successful experience and training in pediatrics and low incidence disabilities such as intellectual disability and autism
• Demonstrated ability to compose and produce concise professional documents
• Ability to supervise one or more COTA(s)
• Skill at working with other related services staff and teachers as resources for planning and delivery of therapy
• Familiarity with adaptive equipment, splinting and the technology utilized with students who have significant mental and physical disabilities
• Skill at using tools and equipment necessary to construct or adapt equipment such as band saw, power saw, sander, drill, and sewing machine
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid first aid and CPR card
• Written and oral communication skills sufficient to perform essential functions
• Physical and mental attributes sufficient to perform essential functions
• Ability to acquire and maintain OIS behavioral intervention certification

Salary: Licensed Salary Schedule can be found here for the 2024-25 and the 2025-26 school years

Benefits:  

• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous district-paid contribution (most employees pay $0 out of pocket to maintain health insurance coverage)
• Retirement through the Oregon Public Retirement System (PERS) includes pension and individual account program
• Paid time off, including paid holidays, sick leave, and other personal leave
• Opportunities to grow with us with generous professional development expense reimbursements
• Clackamas ESD covers the full cost of fingerprinting for new employees, saving you $82.50 - a benefit not offered by most other districts
• Read more about our benefits here

Retirement plan contributions:
Clackamas ESD employees working 600 or more hours in a calendar year are eligible for the Oregon Public Employee Retirement, or PERS. There are two components to PERS, including the pension, which is primarily funded by CESD and The Individual Account Program, or IAP, which is funded by a six-percent deduction from your paycheck. If you are new to PERS, your PERS deduction will begin automatically after a six-month waiting period.

How to apply:
Submit your application at https://www.applitrack.com/clackesd/onlineapp/. Applications for this position must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the listed closing date and must include: 

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Completed application form

Clackamas Education Service District is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce along with the students and families that we serve.

Clackamas ESD policy provides veterans and disabled veterans with preference as required by law.
Clackamas ESD Notice of Nondiscrimination